Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
  • Build your ballot before voting. Print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote.

We do not save your information; it will be lost when you leave this page. Only candidates that appear on your ballot will be listed. Additional information may be available for your area so be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for other voters’ guides.

Start Over

Voter Guide

Columbus City Council Member at Large {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval.Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilUse the MN Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing page (https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/) to find specific candidate contact information.Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 24, 2026.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Joshua Bautch
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Karen M. Fleming
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jacob Salkowicz
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Scott Wendell
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)

What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)

{_btnLabelFor(compare1, _isInSelection(compare1))}
{_btnLabelFor(compare2, _isInSelection(compare2))}
Columbus is a place where families want to stay, businesses want to invest, and people can be proud to call home. That’s the kind of future I want to keep and help build.
As Columbus continues to grow, I believe our focus should be on responsible growth, strengthening our local economy, and preserving our rural character and quality of life. We need to make sure infrastructure, city services, and finances keep pace. I want to maintain strong relationships with our current businesses while attracting new, innovative businesses that strengthen our tax base and help share the cost of city services.
I think representing Columbus means listening to the people who live here and understanding what matters to them. I believe good representation starts with being willing to listen and having open, honest conversations with the community. My goal is to stay connected to the people of Columbus and make decisions with the best interests of our community in mind.
Transparency starts with communication and making sure the information is out there for people to understand what the city is doing, why decisions are being made, and how tax dollars are being spent. I would encourage people to ask questions and stay involved. City leaders also need to have reasoning for their decisions and willingness to explain them.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
I have been a Columbus resident for over twenty-two years and spent over twenty-two years working for local governments. During that time, I demonstrated a strong sense of integrity despite the potential for harsh consequences. Prior to serving on the current City Council, I served the citizens of Columbus on the Public Works - Road Paving Subcommittee, and later as a Commissioner on the Planning Commission.
The top three concerns for a majority of Columbus residents are: 1. Keep taxes low. Despite transitioning from a township to a statutory city, the past several years we have been able to keep city tax levies neutral or low. 2. Keep the rural feel. I voted against any variance that reduces a buildable lot size less than five acres. 3. Maintain infrastructure according to the city’s Comprehensive Plan so the city continues to function essential services while being fiscally responsible.

I like having conversations with Columbus residents about their concerns and issues facing the city council. It is a requirement for city council members to make sure their citizens receive services from city staff. It is also the responsibility of council members to represent the wishes of a majority of our citizens. To maintain a democracy, when a conflict exists between an individual, family, or small group vs. a majority, the majority rules.
While City Council Workshops are helpful in getting the work of the city done, they are not as visible to the public. City Council Workshops are recorded and open to the public but not broadcast on cable TV or streaming. Reducing the number of workshops or broadcasting them can increase availability to residents and improve transparency. As the city council's appointed liason to the Forest Lake Cable Commission, I will continue to work on this as well as looking at other options.
Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.